Ethnographic fieldwork is traditionally seen as what distinguishes social and cultural anthropology from the other social sciences. This collection responds to the inte nsifying scrutiny of fieldwork in recent years. It challenges the idea of the necessity for the total immersion of the ethnographer in the field, and for the clear separation of professional and personal areas of activity. The very existence of 'the field' as an entity separate from everyday life is questioned. Fresh perspectives on contemporary fieldwork are provided by diverse case-studies from across North America and Europe. These contributions give a thorough appraisal of what fieldwork is and should be, and an extra dimension is added through fascinating accounts of the personal experiences of anthropologists in the field.

An excellent introduction to real-world ethnography, this book covers short- and long-term participant observation and ethnographic interviewing and uses diverse cultures as cases.

How does being a parent in the field influence a researcher's positionality and the production of ethnographic knowledge? Based on regionally and thematically diverse cases, this collection explores methodological, theoretical, and ethical dimensions of accompanied fieldwork. The authors show how multiple familial relations and the presence of their children, partners, or other family members impact the immersion into the field and the construction of its boundaries. Female and male authors from various career stages exemplify different research conditions, financial constraints, and family-career challenges that are decisive for academic success.

"What are the relationships between the self and fieldwork? How do personal, emotional and identity issues impact on fieldwork?" "The Ethnographic Self argues that ethnographers and others involved in research in the field should be aware of how fieldwork affects the researcher, and how the researcher affects the field. Coffey synthesizes accounts of the personal experience of ethnography, and aims to make sense of the process of fieldwork research as a set of practical, intellectual and emotional accomplishments. The book is thematically arranged and illustrated with a wide range of empirical material. The author examines the ethnographic presence in the field, and the implications of this in and beyond fieldwork, exploring issues such as the creation of the ethnographic self, and the embodiment and sexualization of the field and self." "The Ethnographic Self will be of interest to anyone working in the area of qualitative research, but especially for sociologists, and educational and health researchers."--BOOK JACKET.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, presents evaluations of the capability of portable spectroscopy devices to “fingerprint” typical construction materials. The spectroscopy devices are evaluated in laboratory conditions as well as in the field to verify material-testing method combinations found successful. The report also documents simple, easy-to-use nondestructive testing procedures for use in the field to ensure quality construction.

"TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Report S2-R06B-RW-1: Evaluating Applications of Field Spectroscopy Devices to Fingerprint Commonly Used Construction Materials documents evaluation results of practical, portable spectroscopic equipment for in-situ analysis of a wide range of commonly used construction materials. The report also includes proposed American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards of practice for the analysis of titanium content in traffic paints by X-ray fluorescence and identification of chemical admixtures by attenuated total reflectance. The results of Renewal Project R06B, which produced SHRP 2 Report S2-R06B-RW-1, will be incorporated into an electronic repository for practitioners, known as the NDToolbox, which will provide information regarding recommended technologies for the detection of a particular deterioration. The NDToolbox is in the process of being created by SHRP 2 Renewal Project R06A, which has released SHRP 2 Report S2-R06A-RR-1: Nondestructive Testing to Identify Concrete Bridge Deck Deterioration that identifies nondestructive testing technologies for detecting and characterizing common forms of deterioration in concrete bridge decks. Renewal Project R06B is one of seven follow-on projects to SHRP Renewal Project R06 that produced SHRP 2 Report S2-R06-RW: A Plan for Developing High-Speed, Nondestructive Testing Procedures for Both Design Evaluation and Construction Inspection, which examines existing and emerging nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies and their current state of implementation to satisfy the NDE needs for highway renewal"--TRB Website.

Pipeline Planning and Construction Field Manual aims to guide engineers and technicians in the processes of planning, designing, and construction of a pipeline system, as well as to provide the necessary tools for cost estimations, specifications, and field maintenance. The text includes understandable pipeline schematics, tables, and DIY checklists. This source is a collaborative work of a team of experts with over 180 years of combined experience throughout the United States and other countries in pipeline planning and construction. Comprised of 21 chapters, the book walks readers through the steps of pipeline construction and management. The comprehensive guide that this source provides enables engineers and technicians to manage routine auditing of technical work output relative to technical input and established expectations and standards, and to assess and estimate the work, including design integrity and product requirements, from its research to completion. Design, piping, civil, mechanical, petroleum, chemical, project production and project reservoir engineers, including novices and students, will find this book invaluable for their engineering practices. - Back-of-the envelope calculations - Checklists for maintenance operations - Checklists for environmental compliance - Simulations, modeling tools and equipment design - Guide for pump and pumping station placement